One HBCU graduate has made history with his degree in mechatronics engineering from South Carolina State University.
Omar Shaheed III is officially the first graduate of the mechatronics engineering program at South Carolina State University, marking a major win for HBCUs expanding into future-focused engineering fields. A Berkeley High School graduate, Shaheed entered the program as its very first student after encouragement from Dr. Hasanul Basher, chairman of the Department of Engineering Technology, who urged him to pursue his education at a historically Black university.
At the time, Shaheed did not fully understand what mechatronics engineering was. He still took the chance. That decision paid off.
Mechatronics engineering is a multidisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, and control systems. It focuses on designing, building, and improving smart machines and automated systems. Mechatronics engineers work on robotics, manufacturing systems, autonomous vehicles, medical devices, assistive technology, and human-machine interaction. According to a press release, the field aims to “design, test and manufacture smart systems in robotics, assistive technology, human-machine interaction, manufacturing and unmanned systems.”
As part of the university’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Transportation, Shaheed quickly found his footing. His coursework translated directly into real-world opportunities, earning him multiple internships while still enrolled. Most notably, he completed three internships with Boeing, rotating through manufacturing and product engineering roles.
Those hands-on experiences prepared him for what comes next. Shaheed officially graduated on December 11 at just 23 years old and is set to return to Boeing’s Charleston facility, where the company produces the 787 Dreamliner.
“There [in Charleston] I clean up a lot of processes, but then I actually got to talk to the customers and get the different adjustments. Each 787 is a different plane… So I got to learn a lot about that,” Shaheed shared in the news release.
Beginning in early 2026, Shaheed will enter a rotational role, applying his mechatronics background across multiple areas of production.
“All my internships have been in different areas because mechatronics is so versatile. So I’ve learned a lot,” he added.
As South Carolina State continues building pipelines for Black engineers, Shaheed’s milestone proves that HBCUs are not just keeping up with the future. They are helping design it.
